aclu of michigan sues michigan secretary of state over transgender discrimination
DESCRIPTION
Michigan’s driver’s license policy put transgender individuals at risk of physical harm and discrimination, according to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan Thursday. The federal suit was filed on behalf of six plaintiffs who are transgender. It accuses Secretary of State Ruth Johnson of violating their First Amendment rights, their right to privacy and their right to equal protection.TRANSCRIPT
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
Emani Love, Tina Seitz, Codie Stone, E.B.,1 A.M., & K.S.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
RUTH JOHNSON, in her official capacity as the Secretary of State of Michigan,
Defendant.
Case No.
Hon.
Mag.
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT
AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
Plaintiffs Emani Love, Tina Seitz, Codie Stone, E.B., A.M., and K.S., by
and through their undersigned attorneys, complain against Defendant Ruth Johnson,
in her official capacity as the Secretary of State of Michigan, as follows:
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
1. Plaintiffs are all transgender Michiganders who live their lives
consistent with their innate understanding of themselves as male or female (their
gender identity), rather than the sex they were assigned at birth. This lawsuit
challenges the State of Michigans refusal to recognize and respect the gender of
1 Plaintiffs E.B., A.M., and K.S. will be filing a motion to proceed using initials, rather than their full names, to protect their privacy in their transgender status and medical conditions and treatment.
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Plaintiffs and other transgender people by denying them the ability to obtain a
drivers license or state identification card that accurately reflects their gender.
2. In 2011, Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson implemented a
restrictive policy for correcting transgender persons drivers licenses and state
identification cards to properly reflect their gender (the Drivers License Policy
or Policy), and she has enforced it ever since.
3. Under the Policy, the State of Michigan will not correct the gender2
on a drivers license or state identification card unless the person requesting the
correction produces an amended birth certificate showing the correct gender.
4. State laws in the United States vary in terms of whether and how
individuals can amend the gender on their birth certificates: (1) some states refuse
to amend the gender on a birth certificate without a court order; (2) some states,
like Michigan, refuse to change the gender on a birth certificate unless an
individual has undergone gender confirmation surgery; (3) some states allow the
gender to be changed on a birth certificate without requiring either surgery or a
court order; and (4) some states do not allow the gender on a birth certificate to be
corrected under any circumstances.
2 Defendant used the word gender to describe her policy, even though Mich. Comp. Laws 257.305(a) uses the word sex for the designation of male or female on a Michigan drivers license. Like the Defendant, Plaintiffs believe that gender and sex are often used interchangeably for purposes of identifying a person as male or female on various legal documents.
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5. Because the Drivers License Policy requires an amended birth
certificate with a corrected gender to change a Michigan drivers license or state
identification (or ID) card, Plaintiffs and other transgender persons in Michigan
are unable to secure drivers licenses or state ID cards that accurately reflect their
gender.
a. Plaintiffs Tina Seitz, Codie Stone, and E.B. cannot obtain an accurate
drivers license under any circumstances because their state of birth
does not allow them to amend the gender on their birth certificate.
b. Plaintiff K.S. faces the burden of obtaining a court order in order to
change the gender on his drivers license, as his birth state requires a
court order to change the gender on his birth certificate.
c. Plaintiffs Emani Love and A.M. were born in Michigan and thus,
cannot secure a drivers license or state ID card reflecting their correct
gender because amending their birth certificate requires them to
complete surgery, for which they have no current medical need and
which they cannot afford.
6. In contrast, Michigan residents born in states, such as California3 or
Washington,4 that do not require surgery or a court order to amend the gender on
3 See Cal. Health & Safety Code 103426; Dept of Public Health, Obtaining a New Birth Certificate After Gender Reassignment, available at
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birth certificates are able to correct the gender designation on their Michigan
drivers licenses without being forced to have surgery and without securing a court
order. Rather, persons from those states need only obtain confirmation of their
change of gender from their physician. Moreover, on information and belief,
Michigan residents obtaining a drivers license or state ID for the first time are not
required to present a birth certificate at all in order to obtain a drivers license or
state ID listing the correct gender.
7. Due to the Drivers License Policy, Plaintiffs and other transgender
individuals in Michigan are forced to carry a drivers license or state ID card that
reflects the incorrect gender, causing them significant psychological and emotional
harm and placing them at risk of bodily harm. They are forced to carry and show
to others a basic identity document that fails to reflect an essential aspect of
personhood their gender. Denying Plaintiffs and other transgender people a
drivers license that matches their gender identity and lived gender results in the
routine disclosure of their transgender status, as well as their medical condition and
treatment, to complete strangers. Indeed, every time Plaintiffs are asked to present
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Documents/GenderReassigmentPAMPHLET-(01-15)-MERGED.pdf (last visited May 15, 2015).
4 See Washington State Dept of Health, Gender Change on a Birth Certificate, available at http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ BirthDeathMarriageandDivorce/GenderChange (last visited May 15, 2015).
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their Michigan drivers license or state ID card, they necessarily divulge private
information about themselves, which places them at serious risk of physical harm,
discrimination, embarrassment, and hostility. Further, denying Plaintiffs a drivers
license or state ID card that properly reflects their gender informs Plaintiffs that the
State of Michigan does not acknowledge and respect their core identities.
8. Defendants Drivers License Policy is unconstitutional, as it has
either made it impossible or unduly burdensome for Plaintiffs and others like them
to have their drivers licenses or state ID cards reflect their gender in violation of:
(1) the right to privacy (U.S. Const. amend. 14, 1); (2) the First Amendment (U.S.
Const. amend. 1); (3) the right to equal protection (U.S. Const. amend. 14, 1); (4)
the right to interstate travel (U.S. Const. art. IV, 2, cl. 1 and U.S. Const. amend.
14, 1); and (5) the right to independence in making important medical decisions
(U.S. Const. amend. 14, 1).
9. Defendants unconstitutional Drivers License Policy has made it
more difficult in comparison to previous policies of the Michigan Secretary of
State for transgender individuals to change their drivers license or state ID cards
to correctly reflect their gender. As discussed in more detail below, prior to 2011,
transgender individuals did not have to show an amended birth certificate to
change the gender on their drivers license or state ID card.
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10. In stark contrast to Michigan, where the Defendant has put in place a
more restrictive policy than what existed in the past, the federal government and a
number of other states have modernized their policies for correcting the gender on
identity documents, such as drivers licenses and passports. They have done so by
eliminating surgical and other burdensome requirements in favor of policies that
allow a gender correction based on a sworn statement or letter from a medical
provider confirming the transgender individuals change of gender.
11. By this Complaint, Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief
from Defendants unconstitutional Drivers License Policy so that they and other
transgender Michigan residents can obtain Michigan ID documents that accurately
reflect their gender identity.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
12. Jurisdiction is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1343 because
Plaintiffs seek redress for the deprivation of rights secured by the Constitution of
the United States. Plaintiffs federal claims are brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
1983.
13. Plaintiffs claims for declaratory and injunctive relief are authorized
by 28 U.S.C. 2201-2202, Fed. R. Civ. P. 57 and 65, and the legal and equitable
powers of this Court.
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14. Venue is proper in the Eastern District of Michigan pursuant to 28
U.S.C. 1391(b)(2) because this is a judicial district in which a substantial part of
the events or omissions giving rise to Plaintiffs claims have occurred.
PARTIES
15. Plaintiff Emani Love was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where
she currently resides. She wishes to correct her Michigan ID card to accurately
reflect her identity as female.
16. Plaintiff A.M. was born and raised in Michigan and currently resides
in Livingston County. She wishes to correct her Michigan drivers license to
accurately reflect her identity as female.
17. Plaintiff Tina Seitz was born in Ohio and moved to Michigan in 1999.
She currently resides in Macomb County. She wishes to correct her Michigan
drivers license to accurately reflect her identity as female.
18. Plaintiff Codie Stone was born in Ohio and moved to Michigan in
2007. He currently resides in Kalamazoo County. He wishes to correct his
Michigan drivers license to accurately reflect his identity as male.
19. Plaintiff E.B. was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and moved to Michigan
in 2012. He currently resides in Washtenaw County. He wishes to correct his
Michigan drivers license to accurately reflect his identity as male.
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20. Plaintiff K.S. was born in South Carolina and moved with his family
to Michigan when he was two years old. He currently resides in Kalamazoo
County. He wishes to correct his Michigan drivers license to reflect his identity as
male.
21. Defendant Ruth Johnson is the Secretary of State of Michigan. As the
Secretary of State, Defendant directs the state agency with the authority to issue
drivers licenses and state ID cards. Defendant designed, implemented, and
controls the Drivers License Policy. She is being sued in her official capacity.
FACTS
Transgender Persons, Gender, and Gender Dysphoria
22. At birth, each person is generally designated as male or female based
on the appearance of external genitalia.
23. Gender identity, on the other hand, is a persons innate self-
identification as male or female and does not necessarily match a persons assigned
sex.
24. Gender identity differs from sexual orientation, which refers to a
persons physical and emotional attractions towards persons of the same or a
different sex.
25. Transgender people are persons whose gender identity does not
conform to the sex they were assigned at birth.
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26. There is a well-established medical consensus that the most important
determinant of a persons sex is a persons gender identity, not the sex they were
assigned at birth. Gender identity develops in early childhood and is believed to be
firmly established by the age of four. The medical literature establishes that a
persons gender identity is an immutable characteristic and cannot be changed.
27. Based on contemporary medical knowledge and practice, attempts to
change a persons core gender identity are considered to be futile and unethical.
28. Gender dysphoria is a medically-recognized condition defined by a
marked incongruence between a persons gender identity and the sex they were
assigned at birth and clinically significant distress or impairment in social,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Symptoms of gender
dysphoria include a strong desire to eliminate primary and secondary physical
characteristics associated with a male or female, the belief that an individual was
improperly assigned the wrong sex at birth, and the desire to be a male or female,
despite what is reflected on a persons birth certificate. If untreated, gender
dysphoria can have serious consequences for transgender people, including
depression, anxiety, inability to focus, suicidality, as well as difficulties
functioning at work, with family, and in other social roles.
29. Treatment of gender dysphoria is guided by the Standards of Care
(SOC) set forth by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health
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(WPATH), which was initially published in 1979 and is now in its seventh
version. These guidelines are widely accepted and respected, and they reflect the
professional consensus about the psychological, psychiatric, hormonal, and
surgical management of gender dysphoria.
30. It is the recognized standard of care to treat gender dysphoria with
gender reassignment. Gender reassignment is not the same for every transgender
person, but instead is determined by the exercise of individualized medical
judgment to achieve the goal of reducing a patients gender dysphoria. An
individualized treatment plan is developed after an assessment by a mental health
professional with expertise in the treatment of gender dysphoria.
31. Gender reassignment does not change a persons gender, which is
instead determined by that persons gender identity. Instead, it brings a persons
appearance and body into alignment with the persons core gender identity, which
helps to alleviate the distress associated with gender dysphoria. Gender
reassignment generally consists of one or more of the following three components:
(1) social transition; (2) hormone therapy; and/or (3) gender confirmation surgery
or surgeries.
32. Social transition involves the adoption of a gender role and gender
presentation that is congruent with the persons gender identity. For example, a
female transgender individual will act and present herself as female in all aspects
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of her life. A legal name change to one that is traditionally associated with a
persons gender identity and the subsequent updating of ID documents to reflect
the appropriate gender are parts of that process.
33. Hormone therapy involves taking hormones associated with ones
gender identity.
34. Gender confirmation surgeries may include breast augmentation or
chest reconstruction surgery, genital reconstruction surgery, and other surgeries to
feminize or masculinize a persons body or appearance. However, gender
confirmation surgery is not medically necessary for many transgender individuals
or even in their best interests. Additionally, for many, surgery is cost-prohibitive
and many insurance policies do not cover gender confirmation surgery. Thus, only
about one-third of transgender individuals report having had gender confirmation
surgery.5
The Importance of Accurate Identity Documents
35. Changing the name and gender on a persons identity documents is an
important aspect of gender reassignment. ID documents are crucial to a persons
ability to function successfully in the correct gender, and a drivers license or state
5 Jaime M. Grant et al., Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, National Center For Transgender Equality And National Gay And Lesbian Task Force (2011), at 26, available at http://www.thetaskforce.org/static_html/downloads/reports/reports/ntds_full.pdf (last visited May 15, 2015).
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ID card is a critically important form of ID. A drivers license serves a crucial
function for many individuals in making it possible for them to secure and
maintain a job and otherwise care for their needs and the needs of their family.
Recognizing the importance of ID documents, the American Medical Association
has adopted a policy urging states to eliminate any requirement that transgender
individuals have surgery in order to amend their birth certificates.
36. A person repeatedly needs a drivers license or state ID card to verify
his or her identity. A drivers license that fails to match ones gender leads to the
disclosure of private, intimate information about ones transgender status, and it
often leads to physical harm, harassment, discrimination, or groundless accusations
of fraud.
37. Additionally, for persons who have struggled for years to live life in
the correct gender identity, the knowledge that ones identity documents label her
or him with the wrong gender can, by itself, cause serious psychological injury.
Michigans Drivers License Policy
38. Michigan law gives Defendant, as the Secretary of State, the authority
to decide which documents must be shown in order for the state to supply a
drivers license or state ID card. See Mich. Comp. Laws 257.307(1).
39. Pursuant to that authority, Defendant established a Drivers License
Policy that prohibits transgender individuals from correcting their drivers license
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or state ID card to correctly reflect their gender unless they present an amended
birth certificate with the correct gender. Upon information and belief, there is no
similar policy applicable to transgender individuals obtaining a Michigan drivers
license or ID card for the first time.
40. No Michigan statute requires individuals to provide an amended birth
certificate to change a Michigan drivers license or state ID card to reflect a
persons correct gender. Nor is there a Michigan statute that requires gender
confirmation surgery for this purpose.
41. In 1996, the Michigan legislature passed a law requiring gender
confirmation surgery to correct the gender on a persons Michigan birth certificate,
Mich. Comp. Laws 333.2831, but that statute does not apply to drivers licenses
and state ID cards. It is likewise inapplicable to persons born outside of the State
of Michigan who wish to correct the gender on their birth certificates, even if they
now reside in Michigan.
42. The current Drivers License Policy is the latest version of Michigans
gender change policies for drivers licenses and state ID cards, which have become
more restrictive over time.
a. Prior to 2003, transgender individuals could correct the gender on
their Michigan drivers licenses or state ID cards without showing an
amended birth certificate or undergoing gender confirmation surgery.
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b. Then, in 2003, under previous Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, the
policy to correct gender on a Michigan drivers license or state ID
card was changed to require proof of gender confirmation surgery.
For a few weeks in 2005, the surgical policy was ended, but then
quickly reinstated.
c. In 2011, Defendant took office and implemented the Drivers License
Policy, which, for the first time, required an amended birth certificate
to correct the gender on a persons drivers license or state ID card.
43. No legitimate governmental interest is furthered by the Drivers
License Policy. Instead, the history leading up to the Drivers License Policy
indicates that it was motivated by animus towards transgender people.
a. The Defendant announced her position on the issue of changing
gender on Michigan drivers licenses in the midst of her primary
campaign for the Republican Party Secretary of State nomination in
2010.6
6 See Michael Hiltzik, The Last Frontier in Sexual Bigotry: Transgender Rights, L.A. TIMES, Mar. 6, 2015, available at http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-the-last-frontier-of-sexual-bigotry-20150306-column.html (last visited May 20, 2015); Susan J. Demas, The Republican Wave Hits Jocelyn Benson, MLIVE (Oct. 29, 2010), http://blog.mlive.com/capitolchronicles/2010/10/post_20.html (last visited May 20, 2015).
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b. During the primary election, Defendant Ruth Johnson ran against
candidate Paul Scott. Mr. Scott criticized the 2005 policy change
under Secretary Land allowing changes without surgery and stated
that if he were elected, transgender individuals would not be allowed
to change the gender on their Michigan drivers license under any
circumstance.7 He characterized his position on prohibiting gender
changes on identification documents as a social values issue.8
c. Defendant thereafter stated that she does not support allowing people
to change their gender on their license as a result of surgery or
lifestyle.9
44. Upon becoming the Secretary of State of Michigan, Defendant
implemented the Drivers License Policy, which makes it extremely difficult, if not
7 Troy Reimink, Secretary of State Candidate Paul Scott Campaigns Against Changes on ID for Transgender Individuals (Jan. 21, 2010), available at http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/01/ secretary_of_state_candidate_p.html (last visited May 20, 2015).
8 Iowa State Daily Editorial Board, EDITORIAL: Scotts Priority Ignores Both Progress, Values (Feb. 3, 2010), available at http://www.iowastatedaily.com/opinion/article_667ace88-d11a-589e-acf1-1b2565a0c13c.html (last visited May 20, 2015).
9 See Secretary of State Race: Ruth Johnson Joins Rep. Paul Scott in Opposing Sex Change on Drivers License, (Aug. 20, 2010), available at http://afamichigan.org/pipermail/e-news_afamichigan.org/2010-August/000301.html (last visited May 20, 2015).
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impossible, for transgender persons to correct the gender on their drivers license
or state ID document.
45. Defendants Drivers License Policy, by placing onerous, and in some
cases insurmountable, obstacles to prevent transgender persons from correcting the
gender on drivers licenses and state ID cards, stands in contrast with the decisions
of the federal government and numerous states to ease restrictions on changing
gender on identity documents to conform policies to current scientific knowledge
and research regarding transgender individuals and the medical standard of care for
treating persons diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
a. The U.S. Department of State requires only that a doctor certify that a
person seeking a gender change on a drivers license has had
appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender
in order to obtain a passport with the correct gender.10
b. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Veterans Health
Administration, the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services, and the Social Security Administration have similar
requirements for a medical certification of appropriate clinical
treatment for gender transition, not surgery.
10 See U.S. Dept of State, Gender Reassignment Applicants, available at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/gender.html (last visited May 20, 2015).
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c. At least 25 of the states and the District of Columbia do not require a
transgender person to undergo surgery to change the gender on his or
her drivers license or state ID card. In addition, at least 13 states
have implemented policies only requiring a medical providers
certification that the applicants gender identity is . . . [male or
female] and can reasonably be expected to continue as such for the
foreseeable future11 in order for individuals to change the gender on
ID documents.
The Drivers License Policys Impact on Plaintiffs
Plaintiffs Born in Michigan Who Have Not Had Gender Confirmation Surgery
Emani Love
46. Plaintiff Emani Love is a 22-year-old transgender woman who was
born in and has lived her entire life in Detroit, Michigan. She works as an outreach
worker for the Ruth Ellis Center, a social service agency for homeless and
disenfranchised LGBT youth. Her responsibilities include facilitating support
groups for transgender youth.
11 See, e.g., Pennsylvania Dept of Transportation, Form DL-32 (Request for Gender Change on Drivers License/Identification Card, available at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/dl_forms/DL-32.pdf (last visited May 20, 2015).
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47. Ms. Love was designated male at birth. However, she has identified
as a transgender woman since she was approximately fourteen years of age.
48. Ms. Love socially transitioned to living as female when she was
approximately fifteen years of age and has lived and presented full time as a
woman since then.
49. Ms. Love has taken steps to correct her identity documents so that
they reflect that she is female. She changed her name to one that affirmed her
female gender in February 2014, and then obtained a new Social Security card with
her legal name on it.
50. In or about March 2014, Ms. Love visited in a Secretary of State
branch office in Detroit, where she secured a change of her name on her state ID
document. However, she was unable to have the gender changed because of the
Drivers License Policy, as she has not had the gender confirmation surgery
required to correct the gender on her Michigan birth certificate.
51. Gender confirmation surgery is not something Ms. Love has any
interest in pursuing, nor does she believe that it is medically necessary for her at
this point. In addition, Ms. Love does not have health insurance coverage for
gender confirmation surgery and cannot afford to pay the substantial out-of-pocket
cost of the surgery.
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52. As a result of Defendants Policy, Ms. Loves current Michigan state
ID card reflects her traditionally female name and appearance in her photograph,
but erroneously states that she is male.
A.M.
53. Plaintiff A.M. is a transgender woman in her thirties who is a lifelong
Michigander and currently lives in Livingston County. A.M. earned her bachelors
degree in 1999 and has worked at a computer consulting company since 2001. She
is also the mother of two young daughters and is a leader in her church community.
54. A.M. was designated male at birth. However, her gender identity is
female.
55. A.M. has undergone gender reassignment treatment under the care of
medical professionals.
56. A.M. is not planning on having gender confirmation surgery at this
time because the surgery is not covered by her health insurance and she cannot
afford to pay the substantial out-of-pocket cost for it. In addition, A.M.s medical
providers have not determined that surgery is medically necessary for her.
57. Plaintiff A.M. has taken actions to correct her identity documents so
that they conform to her female gender identity. Around October 2013, A.M.
legally changed her name to a traditionally female one and also changed the name
on her drivers license to reflect her female name.
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58. Around November or December of 2013, A.M. corrected the name
and gender on her social security records and her passport so that they are
consistent with her female gender identity. Additionally, her automobile
insurance, medical records, and health insurance documents all include her legal
name and show her gender as female. During this process, A.M. received an
amended birth certificate with her correct name on it, but the wrong gender,
because she has not had gender confirmation surgery.
59. A.M. visited the Milford Secretary of States office in Oakland
County and the Howell Secretary of States office in Livingston County to ask
whether she could change the gender on her drivers license. She was informed
that she could not correct the gender on her license without first amending her birth
certificate. However, A.M. cannot amend her birth certificate because she has not
had gender confirmation surgery, as is required for individuals born in Michigan.
60. As a result of Defendants Policy, A.M.s Michigan drivers license
reflects her traditionally female name and appearance in her photograph, but
erroneously states that she is male.
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Plaintiffs Born in States That Do Not Correct Gender on Birth Certificates
Tina Seitz
61. Plaintiff Tina Seitz is a 56-year-old transgender woman who lives in
the Detroit area. Ms. Seitz was born in Ohio, but moved to Michigan in 1999 to
work as an engineer for General Motors.
62. Ms. Seitz was designated male when she was born. However, she
later came to understand that she is female.
63. Ms. Seitz has undergone gender reassignment treatment for gender
dysphoria in consultation with a medical professional.
64. As part of her treatment, Ms. Seitz has taken steps to conform her
identity documents to reflect her female identity. In particular, she legally changed
her name to Tina and corrected her name on her Michigan drivers license. She
also corrected her name and gender on her passport and Social Security records.
65. In September 2007before Defendants Drivers License Policy was
establishedMs. Seitz was able to change the gender on her drivers license to
female after providing the Michigan Secretary of State with a letter from her
physician documenting her change of gender.
66. In or around early 2011, Ms. Seitzs drivers license was held by the
court pending the outcome of a court proceeding. Ms. Seitz needed a state-issued
picture ID in order to apply for a passport, so she went to a branch Secretary of
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States office in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County, to apply for a state ID
card. Even though Seitz offered medical evidence of her gender transition, the
Secretary of States office refused to give her a new state ID card correctly
reflecting that she is female. When she returned after the disposition of her court
case to get her license, the office once again refused to correct the drivers license
to reflect her male gender.
67. The Secretary of States office in Chesterfield Township informed
Seitz that under the Drivers License Policy she would have to produce an
amended birth certificate in order to once again have a license with the correct
gender on it. Ms. Seitz therefore telephoned the Probate Court of Cuyahoga
County, Ohiowhere she was bornto ascertain whether her birth certificate
could be amended.
68. The Chief Magistrate for the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County
informed Ms. Seitz that the court would not change the gender on her birth
certificate. Ohio law does not permit the amendment of birth certificates. See In
The Matter of The Application For A Marriage License For Jacob B. Nash and
Erin A. Barr, Nos. 2002-T-0149, 2002-T-0179, 2003 WL 23097095 (Ohio Ct.
App. Dec. 31, 2003).
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69. Because of the Drivers License Policy and because Seitz was born in
a state where she cannot amend the gender on her birth certificate, Seitz can never
obtain a drivers license that reflects that she is female.
70. Therefore, Ms. Seitzs current Michigan drivers license reflects her
traditionally female name and appearance in her photograph, but erroneously states
that she is male.
Codie Stone
71. Plaintiff Codie Stone is a 30-year-old transgender man who was born
in Ohio and now lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he is completing his
doctorate in sociology at Western Michigan University.
72. Mr. Stone was designated female when he was born. However, his
gender identity is male. Since he was a teenager, he has presented in a
stereotypically masculine way, and since 2009, he has lived full time as a man.
73. Mr. Stone was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, and in consultation
with a medical professional, he has had gender reassignment treatment.
74. Mr. Stone has taken steps to conform his identity documents to his
male identity. He had his name legally changed in 2011 and then corrected the
name on his drivers license.
75. In 2011, Mr. Stone sought to change his drivers license to correctly
reflect that he is male. However, the Secretary of States office told him that he
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would have to change the gender on his Ohio birth certificate if he wanted the
gender changed on his Michigan license. Mr. Stone learned, however, that Ohio
does not allow persons born there to change the gender on their birth certificates.
76. Because of the Drivers License Policy and because Stone was born in
a state where he cannot amend the gender on his birth certificate, he can never
obtain a Michigan drivers license that accurately documents that he is male.
77. As a result of Defendants Policy, Mr. Stones Michigan drivers
license reflects his traditionally male name and appearance in his photograph, but
erroneously states that he is female.
E.B.
78. Plaintiff E.B. is a 24-year-old transgender man who was born in Idaho
and currently lives in Washtenaw County. E.B. has lived in Michigan since he
moved to complete his Masters in Social Work at the University of Michigan. E.B.
currently works as a social worker with at-risk children, youth, and families.
79. E.B. was designated female when he was born. However, he began to
identify as male at a young age. In particular, he remembers knowing that he was
male when he was just four or five years old.
80. With the advice of medical professionals, E.B. has pursued gender
reassignment treatment.
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81. E.B. has taken steps to correct his identity documents so that they
reflect his male identity. For example, he had his name legally changed to a
traditionally male name in January 2015 and obtained a Michigan drivers license
reflecting his legal name.
82. E.B. asked the Howell Secretary of States office in Livingston
County to change the gender on his Michigan drivers license to show that he is
male.
83. The Secretary of States office told E.B. that he would have to
produce a birth certificate with the gender amended in order to amend his
Michigan drivers license to correctly reflect his gender. However, Idaho is a state
that does not allow persons to amend the gender on their birth certificates.
84. Because of the Drivers License Policy and because E.B. was born in
a state where he cannot amend the gender on his birth certificate, E.B. can never
obtain a drivers license that accurately documents that he is male.
85. Therefore, E.B.s current Michigan drivers license reflects his
traditionally male name and appearance in his photograph, but erroneously states
that he is female.
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Plaintiff Born In a State That Requires a Court Order to Change the Gender on a Birth Certificate
K.S.
86. Plaintiff K.S. is a transgender man in his twenties who lives in
Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born in South Carolina, and he and his family
moved to Michigan when he was two years old. K.S. has never been back to South
Carolina.
87. K.S. was designated female when he was born. However, by middle
school, K.S. understood that his identity was male.
88. K.S. has undergone gender reassignment treatment in consultation
with a medical professional.
89. K.S. has made efforts to conform his identity documents to his gender
identity. For example, he changed his name in 2010 to a traditionally male name
and then corrected his Michigan drivers license to reflect his male name.
90. At the same time, K.S. asked an employee at the Secretary of States
office to correct his drivers license to state that he is male and provided the
employee with a note from his doctor to support the change. The Secretary of
State employee told him that he could not make the requested change in his
drivers license.
91. K.S. later learned that the only way to correct the gender on his
license was to first correct the gender on his birth certificate. However, South
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Carolina, where K.S. was born, requires a court order before it will change the
gender on a persons birth certificate.
92. As a result of Defendants Policy, K.S.s Michigan drivers license
reflects his traditionally male name and appearance in his photograph, but
erroneously states that he is female.
Harm to Plaintiffs Caused by the Drivers License Policy
93. Defendants Drivers License Policy has seriously harmed and
continues to harm Plaintiffs and other transgender people in Michigan. Michigan
residents show their drivers licenses and state ID cards when voting, going
through security at an airport, entering a bar or nightclub, buying liquor at a
restaurant, or purchasing food at the grocery store with a credit card, and verifying
their identity with an employerjust to name a few examples. Thus, under the
Drivers License Policy, Plaintiffs and other transgender individuals are forced to
show employers, government officials, grocery store employees, and many others
an ID document which conflicts with their gender identity, their appearance and
behavior, the gender associated with their name, and the other ways in which they
express their gender (their gender expression). Doing so reveals their
transgender status, their transition, and/or their medical condition to all who see the
licenses, including complete strangers.
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94. A 2011 national study of transgender Americans shows the high risks
of harassment and discrimination Plaintiffs and other transgender people have
faced and continue to face because they are unable to obtain drivers licenses and
state ID documents that accurately identify their gender. Forty percent of the
survey respondents who presented ID that did not match their gender identity and
expression reported being harassed, while 15% reported being asked to leave the
premises.12 Three percent of all respondents and 9% of those who are African-
American or Latino/a reported being attacked or assaulted when they showed an
ID document that failed to match their identity and expression.13 The report also
found higher reported rates of employment and housing discrimination among
those whose drivers license failed to match their gender identity and expression.14
95. Additional data regarding the high incidence of hate crimes among
transgender individuals shows the serious risks of bodily injury that Plaintiffs and
other transgender Michiganders face when their transgender status is revealed.15
12 Injustice at Every Turn, supra note 5, at 153.
13 Id.
14 Id. at 154.
15 Osman Ahmed, et al., Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV-Affected Hate Violence in 2013, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (2014) at 8, available at http://www.avp.org/storage/documents/ 2013_ncavp_hvreport_final.pdf (last visited May 15, 2015).
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While transgender individuals only make up a small minority of the population,
transgender persons are subjected to extremely high numbers of hate crimes in the
United States.16 For that reason alone, Plaintiffs and other transgender individuals
rightly fear adverse and dangerous reactions from persons who see a drivers
license or a state ID card listing a gender that fails to match their gender
expression. Survey data indicating a high incidence of discrimination and
harassment by police officers,17 Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
and other airport staff,18 and retail store employees19 provide additional reasons
why Plaintiffs and other transgender persons are rightfully concerned about having
an ID document listing the wrong gender on it.
96. Data showing the high incidence of employment and housing
discrimination experienced by transgender people show additional risks faced by
Plaintiffs and other transgender Michiganders from producing an ID document that
16 See id.
17 Injustice at Every Turn, supra note 5, at 158-59 (29% of transgender individuals reported police harassment or disrespect, and 6% reported being physically assaulted by law enforcement).
18 Id. at 132 (17% of transgender individuals reported being harassed or disrespected by TSA agents or other airport staff, and others even reported being physically assaulted by them).
19 Id. at 129 (37% of transgender individuals reported being subjected to verbal harassment or disrespect; 3% even reported being physical assaulted by retail store employees).
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discloses their transgender status. In the 2011 national report cited above, 90% of
respondents reported being harassed at work or taking actions to avoid harassment
while 26% reported being fired because they are transgender.20 Forty-seven
percent reported some form of employment discrimination because they are
transgender, including not being hired, not being promoted, or being fired.21 With
respect to housing discrimination, 19% of the survey respondents reported being
denied an apartment based upon their transgender status, while 11% reported being
evicted.22
97. The Plaintiffs in this case are each aware of the high incidence of
violence and harassment directed at transgender persons as well as the high rates of
employment and housing discrimination faced by transgender individuals. All fear
that possessing a drivers license that fails to match their gender expression
increases their chances that they will be subjected to discrimination, harassment, or
violence and most have taken steps to try to reduce those risks. Each Plaintiff has
experienced first-hand the embarrassing questions and harassing conduct that
transgender persons often live through when forced to produce an ID document
that fails to match their lived gender.
20 Id. at 3.
21 Id.
22 Id. at 4.
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98. Codie Stone is frightened about how a police officer would react to
seeing his drivers license with the incorrect gender and, as a result, drives under,
not at, the speed limit. Due to the same concerns, Plaintiff A.M. does her best to
avoid driving late at night.
99. Some of the Plaintiffs are apprehensive about or avoid flying
because their drivers licenses fail to match their lived gender. Codie Stone drives
or takes the train where possible to avoid the embarrassment he has faced in the
past when his Michigan drivers license revealed to TSA employees that he is
transgender. In the last few years, K.S. has chosen to drive rather than fly on trips
to the east coast because of his fear about how TSA staff will react to his ID. Ms.
Seitz has experienced hostile treatment from airport staff after they saw her
drivers license and is extremely anxious, almost to the point of panic, when flying
due to her fears about how TSA employees may react to her license, which
incorrectly states that she is male.
100. Having the wrong gender on their licenses has heightened some of the
Plaintiffs concerns about securing a job in the future and limited the choice of jobs
for which they are willing to apply. Codie Stone, for example, worries that having
the wrong gender on his drivers license will impact his chances of getting a future
job. And although he needs to find a part-time job this summer to supplement his
academic funding, Codie Stone has put off applying for jobs with the types of
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employers he believes are likely to react adversely to learning that he is
transgender when they see his drivers license. E.B. works full-time as a social
worker, but in the past he has worked on the weekends to supplement his income.
However, after the difficult experience he had when he revealed he was
transgender to his former employer, he stopped applying for weekend jobs because
of his fears about how employers would react to seeing his Michigan drivers
license listing him as female. There have been job opportunities in the last few
years that K.S. was interested in applying for because they paid more than his
current position. However, he did not apply because he was worried how these
employers would react to learning that he is transgender when they saw his license.
Instead, K.S. has taken on free-lance work to supplement his income.
101. Because of their inaccurate drivers licenses, Plaintiffs have concerns
about or have faced problems voting, obtaining medical care, visiting restaurants
and other social establishments where they will have to show their licenses, and
making retail purchases. Emani Love was publicly embarrassed when she went to
vote and a precinct worker outed her as transgender after looking at her state I.D.
which incorrectly lists her gender as male. Tina Seitz fears that she will be denied
the ability to vote because the gender on her license fails to match her appearance.
K.S. suffers significant discomfort when he goes to the medical office for blood
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work because of the reactions the front desk staff give him when they see his
Michigan drivers license with the incorrect gender on it.
102. E.B. felt awkward and embarrassed when he was asked for an I.D. to
order a drink at a bar and after seeing the ID, the server started calling him
maam.
103. Codie Stone had a hostile experience at a hardware store where the
clerk was extremely friendly to him before he produced his license after which the
clerks tone and demeanor changed completely when he provided his license
listing the incorrect gender. Due in part to his concerns about having to show his
license, Codie Stone avoids stopping at gas stations and other retail establishments
in certain towns and areas in Michigan for fear of embarrassing questions,
harassment, or even assault. When Tina Seitz had to show her drivers license at a
retail store to pay with a check, the clerk looked at her license and said, "that's not
you. The clerk eventually dropped it, but the experience took place in front of
other customers and was therefore very humiliating for her. K.S. has experienced
the distress of having store clerks give him a puzzled look or take an unduly long
amount of time reviewing his drivers license before returning it to him.
104. Being denied a drivers license or state ID card that matches their
gender identity and lived gender is psychologically and emotionally harmful for
Plaintiffs, who are faced with a constant reminder that the State of Michigan does
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not respect them for who they are and are kept in fear of what may happen the next
time they have to show their license to a stranger.
CAUSES OF ACTION 42 U.S.C. 1983
COUNT NO. 1: THE DRIVERS LICENSE POLICY VIOLATES
PLAINTIFFS RIGHT TO PRIVACY
105. Plaintiffs re-allege paragraphs 1 through 104 as if fully set forth
herein.
106. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment places
limitations on state action that deprives individuals of life, liberty, or property.
107. Substantive protections of the Due Process Clause include the right to
avoid disclosure of sensitive, personal information.
108. Plaintiffs have a fundamental right of privacy in preventing the release
of, and in deciding in what circumstances to release: (1) personal information
whose release could subject them to bodily harm; and (2) information of a highly
personal and intimate nature.
109. The Drivers License Policy discloses highly personal information
regarding Plaintiffs to each person who sees the license. This disclosure places
Plaintiffs at risk of bodily harm.
110. There is no compelling state interest that is furthered by the Drivers
License Policy, nor is the Policy narrowly tailored or the least restrictive
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alternative for promoting a state interest. The Policy is not even rationally related
to a legitimate state interest.
111. In addition, Plaintiffs privacy interests outweigh any purported
interest the Defendant could assert.
COUNT NO. 2: THE DRIVERS LICENSE POLICY
VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT
112. Plaintiffs re-allege paragraphs 1 through 111 as if fully set forth
herein.
113. The First Amendment provides that Congress shall make no law . . .
abridging the freedom of speech, U.S. Const. amend. 1, and is made applicable to
the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, U.S. Const. amend. 14.
114. The First Amendment protects the right to speak and to refrain from
speaking.
115. The Drivers License Policy violates the First Amendment rights of
Plaintiffs to refrain from speaking by forcing them to disclose to each person who
sees their license private information about their transgender status and their
medical condition and by forcing them to identify themselves to each person who
sees their license by a gender that conflicts with their core identity.
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116. There is no compelling state interest that is furthered by the Drivers
License Policy, nor is the Policy narrowly tailored or the least restrict alternative
for promoting a state interest.
COUNT NO. 3: THE DRIVERS LICENSE POLICY VIOLATES EQUAL PROTECTION
117. Plaintiffs re-allege paragraphs 1 through 116 as if fully set forth
herein.
118. The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides
that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of
the laws. U.S. Const. amend. 14, 1.
119. The Drivers License Policy is directed solely to transgender
individuals and discriminates against them because only transgender persons are
required to show an amended birth certificate in order to correct their drivers
license or state ID card so that it accurately reflects their identity. Other
identifying characteristics, including height and eye color, on a drivers license or
state ID card can be changed without any sort of proof.
120. There is no compelling or important governmental interest that is
furthered by the Drivers License Policy differential treatment of transgender
persons seeking to correct their drivers license as compared to non-transgender
individuals who request a correction, nor is the Policy narrowly tailored or the least
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restrict alternative for promoting a state interest. Nor is there even a rational
connection between any legitimate governmental interest and the Drivers License
Policys disparate treatment of transgender persons.
121. The Drivers License Policy is invalid under any form of
constitutional scrutiny because it was enacted for the improper purpose of
disadvantaging a specific class, is founded in animus toward transgender
Michiganders, and serves no legitimate governmental interest.
COUNT NO. 4: THE DRIVERS LICENSE POLICY VIOLATES
PLAINTIFFS RIGHT TO INTERSTATE TRAVEL
122. Plaintiffs Tina Seitz, Codie Stone, E.B., and K.S. re-allege paragraphs
1 through 121 as if fully set forth herein.
123. The Privileges or Immunities Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
protects individuals right to interstate travel.
124. The Clause protects citizens who choose to become permanent
residents of a new state by requiring the new state to treat the new residents the
same as existing residents of the state.
125. However, the Drivers License Policy divides transgender
Michiganders into two groups: those who were born in Michigan and those who
were not. The Policy substantially interferes with the rights of Plaintiffs who were
not born in Michigan, including Tina Seitz, Codie Stone, E.B., and K.S., but were
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born in a state where they are unable to amend the gender on their birth certificate
or are required to obtain a court order in order to do so.
126. Michigan residents who were born in Michigan are able to change the
gender on the Michigan drivers license or state ID card after having had surgery
and do not have to obtain a court order.
127. Plaintiffs Seitz, Stone, and E.B. were born in states that do not allow
amendments to birth certificates and thus are treated differently from those
individuals born in Michigan in that they are unable to change the gender on their
drivers licenses under the Drivers License Policy.
128. Plaintiff K.S. was born in a state that requires a court order to amend
the gender on his birth certificate, so he is also treated differently from Michigan-
born residents who do not have to obtain a court order to change the gender on a
Michigan drivers license or state ID card under the Drivers License Policy.
129. The need of Ms. Seitz, Mr. Stone, E.B., and K.S. and other similarly
situated transgender individuals to change the gender on their Michigan drivers
licenses or state ID card is unrelated to the length of time that they have resided in
Michigan or their place of their birth.
130. The Drivers License Policy is not narrowly tailored nor the least
restrictive alternative to further a compelling state interest and thus violates the
Plaintiffs Tina Seitz, Codie Stone, E.B., and K.S.s right to interstate travel.
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COUNT NO. 5: THE DRIVERS LICENSE POLICY VIOLATES PLAINTIFFS LIBERTY
INTEREST IN REFUSING UNWANTED MEDICAL TREATMENT
131. Plaintiffs Emani Love and A.M. re-allege paragraphs 1 through 130 as
if fully set forth herein.
132. The Fourteenth Amendments Due Process Clause protects
individuals substantive rights to be free to make certain private decisions without
unjustified governmental intrusion.
133. The right to make certain private decisions without unjustified
governmental intrusion includes the right to refuse unwanted medical treatment.
134. The Drivers License Policy forces certain transgender individuals
who were born in Michigan to choose between exercising their right to forgo
gender confirmation surgery and securing a drivers license or state ID card
reflecting the correct gender on it.
135. Not all transgender individuals undergo gender confirmation surgery.
For some, the surgery is not medically necessary, while for others it is unsafe.
Surgery may be medically necessary for others who do not have health insurance
coverage for it and cannot afford to pay for the surgery out-of-pocket.
136. Ms. Love has not undergone gender confirmation surgery because she
is not interested in having surgery, does not believe that it is medically necessary
for her at this point, and does not have insurance coverage for the surgery or the
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financial means to pay for it out-of-pocket. Plaintiff A.M. has not had surgery,
because the medical professionals who treat her have not indicated that it is
medically necessary for her and she has neither health insurance coverage for the
surgery nor the financial resources to pay for surgery out-of-pocket.
137. As a result of not having had gender confirmation surgery, Love and
A.M. are unable to amend their birth certificate to accurately reflect their gender
and are therefore denied a drivers license or state ID card that accurately reflects
their gender identity and expression.
138. The Drivers License Policy is neither narrowly tailored nor the least
restrictive alternative to further a compelling government interest and therefore
violates the liberty interests of Plaintiffs Emani Love and A.M. Nor is it rationally
related to a legitimate governmental interest.
LACK OF LEGAL REMEDY
139. Plaintiffs harm is ongoing and cannot be alleviated except by
injunctive relief.
140. No other remedy is available at law.
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
Wherefore, Plaintiffs request that this Court:
a. Issue a judgment, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2201-2202, declaring the
Drivers License Policy unconstitutional for the reasons and/or on the
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counts set forth above;
b. Permanently enjoin Defendant from enforcing the Drivers License
Policy;
c. Award Plaintiffs their costs and attorneys fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
1988; and
d. Grant such other relief as the Court finds just and proper.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Jay D. Kaplan Jay D. Kaplan (P38197) Daniel S. Korobkin (P72842) Michael J. Steinberg (P43085) American Civil Liberties Union Fund of Michigan 2966 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201 (313) 578-6812 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] John A. Knight American Civil Liberties Union Foundation 180 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2300 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 201-9740 [email protected]
Steven R. Gilford Michael F. Derksen Jacki L. Anderson PROSKAUER ROSE LLP 70 West Madison, Suite 3800 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 962-3550 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Attorneys for Plaintiffs Dated: May 21, 2015
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGANCOMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENTAND INJUNCTIVE RELIEFPRELIMINARY STATEMENT1. Plaintiffs are all transgender Michiganders who live their lives consistent with their innate understanding of themselves as male or female (their gender identity), rather than the sex they were assigned at birth. This lawsuit challenges the State of2. In 2011, Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson implemented a restrictive policy for correcting transgender persons drivers licenses and state identification cards to properly reflect their gender (the Drivers License Policy or Policy), and she3. Under the Policy, the State of Michigan will not correct the gender1F on a drivers license or state identification card unless the person requesting the correction produces an amended birth certificate showing the correct gender.4. State laws in the United States vary in terms of whether and how individuals can amend the gender on their birth certificates: (1) some states refuse to amend the gender on a birth certificate without a court order; (2) some states, like Michigan, refus5. Because the Drivers License Policy requires an amended birth certificate with a corrected gender to change a Michigan drivers license or state identification (or ID) card, Plaintiffs and other transgender persons in Michigan are unable to secure dria. Plaintiffs Tina Seitz, Codie Stone, and E.B. cannot obtain an accurate drivers license under any circumstances because their state of birth does not allow them to amend the gender on their birth certificate.b. Plaintiff K.S. faces the burden of obtaining a court order in order to change the gender on his drivers license, as his birth state requires a court order to change the gender on his birth certificate.c. Plaintiffs Emani Love and A.M. were born in Michigan and thus, cannot secure a drivers license or state ID card reflecting their correct gender because amending their birth certificate requires them to complete surgery, for which they have no current m
6. In contrast, Michigan residents born in states, such as California2F or Washington,3F that do not require surgery or a court order to amend the gender on birth certificates are able to correct the gender designation on their Michigan drivers licenses7. Due to the Drivers License Policy, Plaintiffs and other transgender individuals in Michigan are forced to carry a drivers license or state ID card that reflects the incorrect gender, causing them significant psychological and emotional harm and placin8. Defendants Drivers License Policy is unconstitutional, as it has either made it impossible or unduly burdensome for Plaintiffs and others like them to have their drivers licenses or state ID cards reflect their gender in violation of: (1) the right t9. Defendants unconstitutional Drivers License Policy has made it more difficult in comparison to previous policies of the Michigan Secretary of State for transgender individuals to change their drivers license or state ID cards to correctly reflect the10. In stark contrast to Michigan, where the Defendant has put in place a more restrictive policy than what existed in the past, the federal government and a number of other states have modernized their policies for correcting the gender on identity docume11. By this Complaint, Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief from Defendants unconstitutional Drivers License Policy so that they and other transgender Michigan residents can obtain Michigan ID documents that accurately reflect their gender i
JURISDICTION AND VENUE12. Jurisdiction is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1343 because Plaintiffs seek redress for the deprivation of rights secured by the Constitution of the United States. Plaintiffs federal claims are brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983.13. Plaintiffs claims for declaratory and injunctive relief are authorized by 28 U.S.C. 2201-2202, Fed. R. Civ. P. 57 and 65, and the legal and equitable powers of this Court.14. Venue is proper in the Eastern District of Michigan pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(b)(2) because this is a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to Plaintiffs claims have occurred.PARTIES15. Plaintiff Emani Love was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where she currently resides. She wishes to correct her Michigan ID card to accurately reflect her identity as female.16. Plaintiff A.M. was born and raised in Michigan and currently resides in Livingston County. She wishes to correct her Michigan drivers license to accurately reflect her identity as female.17. Plaintiff Tina Seitz was born in Ohio and moved to Michigan in 1999. She currently resides in Macomb County. She wishes to correct her Michigan drivers license to accurately reflect her identity as female.18. Plaintiff Codie Stone was born in Ohio and moved to Michigan in 2007. He currently resides in Kalamazoo County. He wishes to correct his Michigan drivers license to accurately reflect his identity as male.19. Plaintiff E.B. was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and moved to Michigan in 2012. He currently resides in Washtenaw County. He wishes to correct his Michigan drivers license to accurately reflect his identity as male.20. Plaintiff K.S. was born in South Carolina and moved with his family to Michigan when he was two years old. He currently resides in Kalamazoo County. He wishes to correct his Michigan drivers license to reflect his identity as male.21. Defendant Ruth Johnson is the Secretary of State of Michigan. As the Secretary of State, Defendant directs the state agency with the authority to issue drivers licenses and state ID cards. Defendant designed, implemented, and controls the Drivers L
FACTS22. At birth, each person is generally designated as male or female based on the appearance of external genitalia.23. Gender identity, on the other hand, is a persons innate self-identification as male or female and does not necessarily match a persons assigned sex.24. Gender identity differs from sexual orientation, which refers to a persons physical and emotional attractions towards persons of the same or a different sex.25. Transgender people are persons whose gender identity does not conform to the sex they were assigned at birth.26. There is a well-established medical consensus that the most important determinant of a persons sex is a persons gender identity, not the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity develops in early childhood and is believed to be firmly establ27. Based on contemporary medical knowledge and practice, attempts to change a persons core gender identity are considered to be futile and unethical.28. Gender dysphoria is a medically-recognized condition defined by a marked incongruence between a persons gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth and clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other importa29. Treatment of gender dysphoria is guided by the Standards of Care (SOC) set forth by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), which was initially published in 1979 and is now in its seventh version. These guidelines are wi30. It is the recognized standard of care to treat gender dysphoria with gender reassignment. Gender reassignment is not the same for every transgender person, but instead is determined by the exercise of individualized medical judgment to achieve the g31. Gender reassignment does not change a persons gender, which is instead determined by that persons gender identity. Instead, it brings a persons appearance and body into alignment with the persons core gender identity, which helps to alleviate th32. Social transition involves the adoption of a gender role and gender presentation that is congruent with the persons gender identity. For example, a female transgender individual will act and present herself as female in all aspects of her life. A le33. Hormone therapy involves taking hormones associated with ones gender identity.34. Gender confirmation surgeries may include breast augmentation or chest reconstruction surgery, genital reconstruction surgery, and other surgeries to feminize or masculinize a persons body or appearance. However, gender confirmation surgery is not me
35. Changing the name and gender on a persons identity documents is an important aspect of gender reassignment. ID documents are crucial to a persons ability to function successfully in the correct gender, and a drivers license or state ID card is a cr
36. A person repeatedly needs a drivers license or state ID card to verify his or her identity. A drivers license that fails to match ones gender leads to the disclosure of private, intimate information about ones transgender status, and it often lead37. Additionally, for persons who have struggled for years to live life in the correct gender identity, the knowledge that ones identity documents label her or him with the wrong gender can, by itself, cause serious psychological injury.38. Michigan law gives Defendant, as the Secretary of State, the authority to decide which documents must be shown in order for the state to supply a drivers license or state ID card. See Mich. Comp. Laws 257.307(1).39. Pursuant to that authority, Defendant established a Drivers License Policy that prohibits transgender individuals from correcting their drivers license or state ID card to correctly reflect their gender unless they present an amended birth certificat40. No Michigan statute requires individuals to provide an amended birth certificate to change a Michigan drivers license or state ID card to reflect a persons correct gender. Nor is there a Michigan statute that requires gender confirmation surgery for41. In 1996, the Michigan legislature passed a law requiring gender confirmation surgery to correct the gender on a persons Michigan birth certificate, Mich. Comp. Laws 333.2831, but that statute does not apply to drivers licenses and state ID cards. 42. The current Drivers License Policy is the latest version of Michigans gender change policies for drivers licenses and state ID cards, which have become more restrictive over time.a. Prior to 2003, transgender individuals could correct the gender on their Michigan drivers licenses or state ID cards without showing an amended birth certificate or undergoing gender confirmation surgery.b. Then, in 2003, under previous Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, the policy to correct gender on a Michigan drivers license or state ID card was changed to require proof of gender confirmation surgery. For a few weeks in 2005, the surgical policy wasc. In 2011, Defendant took office and implemented the Drivers License Policy, which, for the first time, required an amended birth certificate to correct the gender on a persons drivers license or state ID card.
43. No legitimate governmental interest is furthered by the Drivers License Policy. Instead, the history leading up to the Drivers License Policy indicates that it was motivated by animus towards transgender people.a. The Defendant announced her position on the issue of changing gender on Michigan drivers licenses in the midst of her primary campaign for the Republican Party Secretary of State nomination in 2010.5Fb. During the primary election, Defendant Ruth Johnson ran against candidate Paul Scott. Mr. Scott criticized the 2005 policy change under Secretary Land allowing changes without surgery and stated that if he were elected, transgender individuals would noc. Defendant thereafter stated that she does not support allowing people to change their gender on their license as a result of surgery or lifestyle.8F44. Upon becoming the Secretary of State of Michigan, Defendant implemented the Drivers License Policy, which makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for transgender persons to correct the gender on their drivers license or state ID documen...
45. Defendants Drivers License Policy, by placing onerous, and in some cases insurmountable, obstacles to prevent transgender persons from correcting the gender on drivers licenses and state ID cards, stands in contrast with the decisions of the federala. The U.S. Department of State requires only that a doctor certify that a person seeking a gender change on a drivers license has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender in order to obtain a passport with the correct b. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Veterans Health Administration, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Social Security Administration have similar requirements for a medical certification of appropriate clinical trec. At least 25 of the states and the District of Columbia do not require a transgender person to undergo surgery to change the gender on his or her drivers license or state ID card. In addition, at least 13 states have implemented policies only requiring
46. Plaintiff Emani Love is a 22-year-old transgender woman who was born in and has lived her entire life in Detroit, Michigan. She works as an outreach worker for the Ruth Ellis Center, a social service agency for homeless and disenfranchised LGBT youth.47. Ms. Love was designated male at birth. However, she has identified as a transgender woman since she was approximately fourteen years of age.48. Ms. Love socially transitioned to living as female when she was approximately fifteen years of age and has lived and presented full time as a woman since then.49. Ms. Love has taken steps to correct her identity documents so that they reflect that she is female. She changed her name to one that affirmed her female gender in February 2014, and then obtained a new Social Security card with her legal name on it.50. In or about March 2014, Ms. Love visited in a Secretary of State branch office in Detroit, where she secured a change of her name on her state ID document. However, she was unable to have the gender changed because of the Drivers License Policy, as 51. Gender confirmation surgery is not something Ms. Love has any interest in pursuing, nor does she believe that it is medically necessary for her at this point. In addition, Ms. Love does not have health insurance coverage for gender confirmation surger52. As a result of Defendants Policy, Ms. Loves current Michigan state ID card reflects her traditionally female name and appearance in her photograph, but erroneously states that she is male.53. Plaintiff A.M. is a transgender woman in her thirties who is a lifelong Michigander and currently lives in Livingston County. A.M. earned her bachelors degree in 1999 and has worked at a computer consulting company since 2001. She is also the mother54. A.M. was designated male at birth. However, her gender identity is female.55. A.M. has undergone gender reassignment treatment under the care of medical professionals.56. A.M. is not planning on having gender confirmation surgery at this time because the surgery is not covered by her health insurance and she cannot afford to pay the substantial out-of-pocket cost for it. In addition, A.M.s medical providers have not d57. Plaintiff A.M. has taken actions to correct her identity documents so that they conform to her female gender identity. Around October 2013, A.M. legally changed her name to a traditionally female one and also changed the name on her drivers license t58. Around November or December of 2013, A.M. corrected the name and gender on her social security records and her passport so that they are consistent with her female gender identity. Additionally, her automobile insurance, medical records, and health in59. A.M. visited the Milford Secretary of States office in Oakland County and the Howell Secretary of States office in Livingston County to ask whether she could change the gender on her drivers license. She was informed that she could not correct the 60. As a result of Defendants Policy, A.M.s Michigan drivers license reflects her traditionally female name and appearance in her photograph, but erroneously states that she is male.61. Plaintiff Tina Seitz is a 56-year-old transgender woman who lives in the Detroit area. Ms. Seitz was born in Ohio, but moved to Michigan in 1999 to work as an engineer for General Motors.62. Ms. Seitz was designated male when she was born. However, she later came to understand that she is female.63. Ms. Seitz has undergone gender reassignment treatment for gender dysphoria in consultation with a medical professional.64. As part of her treatment, Ms. Seitz has taken steps to conform her identity documents to reflect her female identity. In particular, she legally changed her name to Tina and corrected her name on her Michigan drivers license. She also corrected her 65. In September 2007before Defendants Drivers License Policy was establishedMs. Seitz was able to change the gender on her drivers license to female after providing the Michigan Secretary of State with a letter from her physician documenting her chan66. In or around early 2011, Ms. Seitzs drivers license was held by the court pending the outcome of a court proceeding. Ms. Seitz needed a state-issued picture ID in order to apply for a passport, so she went to a branch Secretary of States office in 67. The Secretary of States office in Chesterfield Township informed Seitz that under the Drivers License Policy she would have to produce an amended birth certificate in order to once again have a license with the correct gender on it. Ms. Seitz theref68. The Chief Magistrate for the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County informed Ms. Seitz that the court would not change the gender on her birth certificate. Ohio law does not permit the amendment of birth certificates. See In The Matter of The Application F69. Because of the Drivers License Policy and because Seitz was born in a state where she cannot amend the gender on her birth certificate, Seitz can never obtain a drivers license that reflects that she is female.70. Therefore, Ms. Seitzs current Michigan drivers license reflects her traditionally female name and appearance in her photograph, but erroneously states that she is male.71. Plaintiff Codie Stone is a 30-year-old transgender man who was born in Ohio and now lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he is completing his doctorate in sociology at Western Michigan University.72. Mr. Stone was designated female when he was born. However, his gender identity is male. Since he was a teenager, he has presented in a stereotypically masculine way, and since 2009, he has lived full time as a man.73. Mr. Stone was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, and in consultation with a medical professional, he has had gender reassignment treatment.74. Mr. Stone has taken steps to conform his identity documents to his male identity. He had his name legally changed in 2011 and then corrected the name on his drivers license.75. In 2011, Mr. Stone sought to change his drivers license to correctly reflect that he is male. However, the Secretary of States office told him that he would have to change the gender on his Ohio birth certificate if he wanted the gender changed on h76. Because of the Drivers License Policy and because Stone was born in a state where he cannot amend the gender on his birth certificate, he can never obtain a Michigan drivers license that accurately documents that he is male.77. As a result of Defendants Policy, Mr. Stones Michigan drivers license reflects his traditionally male name and appearance in his photograph, but erroneously states that he is female.E.B.78. Plaintiff E.B. is a 24-year-old transgender man who was born in Idaho and currently lives in Washtenaw County. E.B. has lived in Michigan since he moved to complete his Masters in Social Work at the University of Michigan. E.B. currently works as a s79. E.B. was designated female when he was born. However, he began to identify as male at a young age. In particular, he remembers knowing that he was male when he was just four or five years old.80. With the advice of medical professionals, E.B. has pursued gender reassignment treatment.81. E.B. has taken steps to correct his identity documents so that they reflect his male identity. For example, he had his name legally changed to a traditionally male name in January 2015 and obtained a Michigan drivers license reflecting his legal name82. E.B. asked the Howell Secretary of States office in Livingston County to change the gender on his Michigan drivers license to show that he is male.83. The Secretary of States office told E.B. that he would have to produce a birth certificate with the gender amended in order to amend his Michigan drivers license to correctly reflect his gender. However, Idaho is a state that does not allow persons 84. Because of the Drivers License Policy and because E.B. was born in a state where he cannot amend the gender on his birth certificate, E.B. can never obtain a drivers license that accurately documents that he is male.85. Therefore, E.B.s current Michigan drivers license reflects his traditionally male name and appearance in his photograph, but erroneously states that he is female.86. Plaintiff K.S. is a transgender man in his twenties who lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born in South Carolina, and he and his family moved to Michigan when he was two years old. K.S. has never been back to South Carolina.87. K.S. was designated female when he was born. However, by middle school, K.S. understood that his identity was male.88. K.S. has undergone gender reassignment treatment in consultation with a medical professional.89. K.S. has made efforts to conform his identity documents to his gender identity. For example, he changed his name in 2010 to a traditionally male name and then corrected his Michigan drivers license to reflect his male name.90. At the same time, K.S. asked an employee at the Secretary of States office to correct his drivers license to state that he is male and provided the employee with a note from his doctor to support the change. The Secretary of State employee told him 91. K.S. later learned that the only way to correct the gender on his license was to first correct the gender on his birth certificate. However, South Carolina, where K.S. was born, requires a court order before it will change the gender on a persons bir92. As a result of Defendants Policy, K.S.s Michigan drivers license reflects his traditionally male name and appearance in his photograph, but erroneously states that he is female.Harm to Plaintiffs Caused by the Drivers License Policy93. Defendants Drivers License Policy has seriously harmed and continues to harm Plaintiffs and other transgender people in Michigan. Michigan residents show their drivers licenses and state ID cards when voting, going through security at an airport, e94. A 2011 national study of transgender Americans shows the high risks of harassment and discrimination Plaintiffs and other transgender people have faced and continue to face because they are unable to obtain drivers licenses and state ID documents that95. Additional data regarding the high incidence of hate crimes among transgender individuals shows the serious risks of bodily injury that Plaintiffs and other transgender Michiganders face when their transgender status is revealed.14F While transgender96. Data showing the high incidence of employment and housing discrimination experienced by transgender people show additional risks faced by Plaintiffs and other transgender Michiganders from producing an ID document that discloses their transgender statu97. The Plaintiffs in this case are each aware of the high incidence of violence and harassment directed at transgender persons as well as the high rates of employment and housing discrimination faced by transgender individuals. All fear that possessing a98. Codie Stone is frightened about how a police officer would react to seeing his drivers license with the incorrect gender and, as a result, drives under, not at, the speed limit. Due to the same concerns, Plaintiff A.M. does her best to avoid driving 99. Some of the Plaintiffs are apprehensive about or avoid flying because their drivers licenses fail to match their lived gender. Codie Stone drives or takes the train where possible to avoid the embarrassment he has faced in the past when his Michiga100. Having the wrong gender on their licenses has heightened some of the Plaintiffs concerns about securing a job in the future and limited the choice of jobs for which they are willing to apply. Codie Stone, for example, worries that having the wrong g101. Because of their inaccurate drivers licenses, Plaintiffs have concerns about or have faced problems voting, obtaining medical care, visiting restaurants and other social establishments where they will have to show their licenses, and making retail pu102. E.B. felt awkward and embarrassed when he was asked for an I.D. to order a drink at a bar and after seeing the ID, the server started calling him maam.103. Codie Stone had a hostile experience at a hardware store where the clerk was extremely friendly to him before he produced his license after which the clerks tone and demeanor changed completely when he provided his license listing the incorrect gende 104. Being denied a drivers license or state ID card that matches their gender identity and lived gender is psychologically and emotionally harmful for Plaintiffs, who are faced with a constant reminder that the State of Michigan